6 Secrets Hidden in Disney’s $1.9 Billion Theme Park Expansion Plans

The DisneylandForward project has been discussed with Disney and the city of Anaheim for the future revamping of Disneyland Resort.

DisneylandForward concept art ©Disney

The project began in 2021 and is a multi-year expansion of the Disneyland Resort. It’s a redesign that would update two existing approvals from the 1990s. The plan would need to change zoning regulations that are currently in effect with the city and would not involve purchasing new land, but instead re-zone current land use. Disney has shared that the project would expand the current land to include new lands, attractions, resorts, retail locations, and dining options. The idea of new lands and attractions coming to Disneyland has certainly led us to start dreaming up just what we hope comes to the theme park district.

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Disney has shared some theming ideas for the expansion. The ideas included concepts from Black Panther, Coco, Tangled, Frozen, Zootopia, Peter Pan, Tron, and Toy Story. During a recent Anaheim City Council meeting, Disney specifically referenced their new lands in the international parks. Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort, World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland, and Fantasy Springs coming soon to Tokyo DisneySea were all brought up as examples for the DisneylandForward expansion.

Fantasy Springs ©Disney

Disney has brought up the movie Coco several times as a possible theme in one of their parks. At one point, it was discussed as the possible theme for the Magic Kingdom expansion. When that was being considered, Disney mentioned that you might be able to fly like Miguel did in the movie, which would be so cool! There is also a Coco-themed restaurant in Disneyland Paris.

Concept art of potential Magic Kingdom expansion including ‘Coco’ and Villains

If Disney is referencing their new international lands as possible concepts for the new DisneylandForward project, we have a few ideas about what could be coming to the new expansion. Disney hasn’t confirmed anything, yet, but we would be pretty excited to see the following making their way from the international parks into California.

A Snuggly Duckling

If you’re familiar with the movie Tangled, then you may remember the Snuggly Duckling. The Snuggly Duckling is the name of the pub that Rapunzel and Flynn Rider end up in that houses all the thugs, and it’s where we find out all of their dreams. And now, the Snuggly Duckling is soon to be a real place that you can visit!

Snuggly Duckling Pub ©Disney

The Snuggly Duckling is coming to Rapunzel’s Forest in Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea this spring. Disney specifically mentioned Rapunzel’s Forest in their meeting about DisneylandForward, so we immediately thought of another Snuggly Duckling coming to Disneyland in California! We’ve got a dream to visit the Snuggly Duckling, and if it came to Disneyland that dream becoming reality would be much easier.

Everything Coming to Rapunzel’s Forest in Fantasy Springs

Jumbeaux’s Cafe

Jumbeaux’s Cafe is from the movie Zootopia. And now that Zootopia Land is officially open in Shanghai Disney, you can actually visit Jumbeaux’s Cafe and get the world-famous Pawpsicles!

©Disney

When Disney mentioned possible Zootopia attractions coming to Disneyland, all we could think about was eating one of these jumbo paw-shaped popsicles! You know food is always on our minds, so this was a safe bet for us. We think a Jumbeaux’s Cafe would be amazing in the new district.

Everything You Can Do in Zootopia!

Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs

Ok, let’s head over to the new World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland. There’s a ton of cool stuff in this new land that we would love to see come to California, but there’s one ride there that is nowhere else in the world — Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs!

Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs

We really enjoyed getting to ride this ride, and we think it would be great to have it in Disneyland! A cute, family-friendly roller coaster in Disneyland would be a great addition.

Everything in World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disney!

Olaf Ice Cream

Remember, we think, talk, and dream about food. The sweet treats in World of Frozen are no exception. We tried lots of delicious food there, but the cute Olaf ice cream cone would be fun to have in sunny California.

Hi, Olaf!

We wouldn’t be mad if we got an entire Frozen-themed sweets shop in Disneyland. There were so many goodies in World of Frozen that we would totally eat again if they were in California!

Our Top 2 Foods in World of Frozen!

Fly Like Miguel

As we said, Disney had teased a possible flying attraction in a Coco-themed land in Magic Kingdom at Disney World. We haven’t heard any updates to what the Magic Kingdom expansion might be, so it’s possible that it could still include Coco. However, Disney has also mentioned Coco as a possible theme coming to Disneyland.

50th ‘Coco’ statues in EPCOT

So, could we see a new ride that takes you flying like Miguel in the movie come to Disneyland? Maybe! Anything is possible with Disney. Who knows, maybe both locations (Disneyland and Disney World) could get the same attraction. Or perhaps Disney has moved onto other concepts for Magic Kingdom. We are eagerly waiting for information for BOTH locations.

Find Out About the NEW Magic Kingdom Expansion Details 

Coco Restaurant

If we continue to draw on inspiration from the international parks (and keep talking about food), then perhaps a Coco-themed restaurant could come to Disneyland!

©Disney

Casa de Coco – Restaurante de Familia is a relatively new restaurant in Disneyland Paris. It features Mexican-inspired dishes such as several burrito options and of course churros. It also has amazing and bright details. If Disney is going to bring new dining options to Disneyland in California we vote for this restaurant (but we do really love burritos)!

©Disney

Take a Look Inside the NEW Coco Restaurant

We will most likely have to wait a while to find out any specific details coming to DisneylandForward. There are a few more meetings planned and the next proposal is scheduled for March at an Anaheim Planning Commission hearing. A vote will be held in late spring. And then, Disney has shared that the project will be ongoing for the next 40 years. 

We are always on the lookout for new information, so be sure to follow DFB for all your Disney news!

Disney Shared a BIG UPDATE on Park Expansions

What do you hope to see come to Disneyland in the expansion? Let us know in the comments!

The post 6 Secrets Hidden in Disney’s .9 Billion Theme Park Expansion Plans first appeared on the disney food blog.